Torque-tube structure



F. RICHARD. TORQUE TUBE STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-15,1917.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

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Hllil F. RICHARD.

TORQUE TUBE STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. l'5. I9I?.

Am li ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

rnAncoIs RICHARD, or CLEVELAND, 01110, .ASSIGNOR TO THE RICHARD AUTO MEG.

. COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TORQUE-TUBE STRUCTURE.

Specification of letters Patent.

appli'caticn filed January 15, 1917. Serial No. 142,477.

To all whonm'zhmay concern:

Be it known that I, ;FRANQOIS.RIGHARD, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at 'YSOO'Einney avenue, Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Torque-Tube Structures, of which the following is a specification, the principle ofthe invention being llierein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplatedapplying that principle, .so as to. distinguish it fronrother inventions.

This invention :nelates "to a torque tube structure and more particularly-to an .improyeinent in aconneetion of -this character adaptedfor employment in the construction of the-modern typeofautomobile.

The strains .to which-torqumtubes are :Subjected in automobile usage are verysevere owingto the constant vibrationiandvany'ing road conditions under the different wheels, in consequence of which latter circumstance the chassis, and hence necessarily :thev torque tube, regularly caused to, resist tendencies toward distortion. To such tendencies a torque tube 1s peculiarly sensitiveaow ng to the manner of its connection whereby it develops progressive crystallization tendencies, which eventually sufficiently weaken it so as to bring about its fracture, usually at :the rear or weakest end.

The object of my invention is to avoid such happening and I have succeeded in doing so by permitting a relative rotary movement in either direction at two points along the torque tube so as to compensate for and counteract the torsional tendencies at each end, either independent of or coincident with the other.

I would have it expressly understood that I in no wise limit myself to thisspecific application or embodiment of my invention, which I have selected as a basis for i1lus trating and describing my invention merely for the purpose of rendering a clear and comprehensive understanding of the scope and novel features thereof.

Adverting to the drawing:

Figure I is a plan of an automobile chassis, showing a torque tube incorporating the principle of my invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged detail partly broken of the torque tube, embodying my invention.

.10 .is'to rotate. casting v8 is a sleeve 11 adapted to have a close mechanical :fit within the bearing 12 ofathe housing yoke '3. The sleeve 11 ex- III is -a.-mainly horizontal section of II.

The frame 1 has a cross brace 2.130 which .a yoke-3 is pivotally connected at two points .l. This yoke supports one end i of the torque tube after the manner of my invention to the presently described.

I The other end of the tube 5 issupported by .a. forward exten sion 6 of .a differential housing 7 Fixed to the forward end of the tube 6 by means of rivetsor otherwise is .a hollow castin 8 carrying interiorly .at its front 'end a r0 ler bearing 9 within which the driving shaft In turn surrounding :the

tendssomewhat rearwardly beyond the yoke 3 .a11d -abo1 1t.such ,portion is a collar 13 to opposite .sides of which tie-rods let are pivoted. The whole is held in place by means of lock-nuts :15 and 16. It will be tension 6.is closely fitted, so :as to turn in either direction relatively thereto.

The parts are likewise further secured by the locknuts .19 and 20.

It .shouldbe understood that the yoke 3 would normally be subject to considerable torque as the frame became tilted and that the extension 6 would be subjected to torsional strain whenever either of the rear wheels or other side of the frame assumed a greater elevation than at the opposite side. Heretofore torque tubes have been. designed to compensate for localized torsional strains. I believe however, that I am the first to perceive the advisability of providing for a total compensation, namely, at each end of the tube, so that reverse torsional strains which might be encountered at opposite ends of the tube might be simultaneously off-set. For example, if the left fore wheel and the right hind wheel were each simultaneously jolted upwardly the tendency would be to subject to torsional forces in opposite directions. In such event, a construction which permitted of movement at only one end would not sufiice and experience has demonstrated that torque tubes do tend to cryscPatented 'Feb. 10, 1920.

tallize and eventually fracture as heretofore mounted. According to my invention assuming the left front and rear right wheel to have been thrown upwardly at any given moment the yoke 3 and extension 6 will turn in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows in Fig. II. Only in this wise is the tube 5 wholly relieved under all conditions of the torsional wrenches.

I claim:

1. A torque tube structure comprising the combination with a vehicle frame, of two parts each connected with said frame and each rotatably supporting a third part.

2. A torque tube structure comprising a pair of parts adapted for connection with a motor vehicle frame, and a middle part located between said first mentioned parts and rotatably connected with each, whereby rotatable action in opposite directions may occur simultaneously at both connections between said parts whenever diagonally opposite ends of the frame are lifted or dropped in the same direction.

3. A torque tu be structure comprising the combination of a wheeled vehicle frame, two parts movably connected with said frame and three axially alined members rotatably connected together in pairs and two of said members being additionally rotatably connected with said parts respectively.

4. A torque tube structure comprising three axially alined hollow members, the middle of said members being rotatably connected with each of the others whereby simultaneously to compensate for opposed torsional tendencies.

5. A torque tube structure comprising a wheeled vehicle frame, three axially alined hollow members, extending lengthwise of the frame, the middle of said members being rotatably connected with each of the others and distinct means for connecting the other two members with said frame whereby simultaneously to compensate for opposed torsional tendencies by allowing rotational movement at two longitudinally spaced points.

6. A device of the character described comprising the combination of an automobile frame, an axle housing yieldingly attached thereacross, a member pivotally connected with said frame and adapted for up and down movement relatively thereto, and a torque tube rotatably connected both with said member and with said housing.

7. A device of the character described comprising the combination with a four wheeled automobile frame, of an axle housing, springs yieldfingly connecting said frame and housing, a yoke pivotally connected across said frame some distance from said springs and adapted for up and down movement relatively thereto, and a torque tube rotatably connected both with said yoke and with said housing whereby each of the latter may turn around in directions relative to said tube whenever diagonally opposite wheels are simultaneously either lifted or allowed to sink.

8. A torque tube structure comprising the combination with an automobile frame of three axially alined members rotatably connected, one of said members bein yieldingly connected with said frame, anofiier of said members being pivotally connected with said frame.

9. A torque tube structure comprising the combination with an automobile frame of three axially alined members rotatably connected longitudinally of said frame, the rear one of said members having its rear end yieldingly supporting said frame, the front one of said members being pivotally connected with said frame for swinging movement relative to the horizontal plane of the latter.

9figned by me, this 5th day of January, 1

FRANQOIS RICHARD. 

